Storage device

ABSTRACT

A storage device for providing easy access to a use article. The storage device includes a holster for being attached to and carried by a support. The use article is moveably mounted to the holster for movement between a storage position and a use position. The movement including a first sliding motion where the use article is at least partially withdrawn from the holster and a second motion where the use article is pivoted into the use position.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of storage devices, such ascontainers and boxes. In particular, the invention relates to a portablestorage device that provides a work surface and allows easy access tothe contents.

Storage devices are well-known in the prior art. They come in variousshapes and sizes, and are used by individuals to store, organize, andtransport items. One example of a storage device is a toolbox. Toolboxesare typically used by individuals to carry tools to a job site or workarea. However, toolboxes can be large and cumbersome when working inconfined spaces or when only a few items are needed to perform a job.

For example, a tradesman working out of a bucket of a cherry picker maynot have room for a toolbox in the bucket. As a result, the tradesmanmust carry the needed items to perform the job in his hands or pockets.Additionally, if the tradesman needs to use more than one item toperform the job, the tradesman must put one item in his pockets or onthe floor of the bucket while he uses the other item.

Another example of a storage device is a tacklebox. Tackleboxes aretypically used by a fisherman to carry lures, pliers, and fishing line.While tackleboxes work well for transporting fishing gear, they can becumbersome for a fisherman, such as fly fisherman, who gradually walksdown a river as he fishes, but needs to carry additional lures, othertackle, or pliers with him. The fisherman must continually go back tothe river bank to get supplies, or carry the supplies in his pockets.Additionally, if the fisherman wants to tie a fly, the fishermen must goback to the river bank for supplies and a stable work surface, or, inthe event the fisherman has supplies, do so without a stable worksurface.

Accordingly, there is a need for a portable storage device that can beeasily carried on an individual or object, that provides a stable worksurface, that allows the use of both hands, and that stores andorganizes items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore it is an object of the invention to provide a storage devicethat is portable.

It is another object of the invention to provide a storage device thatprovides a work surface.

It is another object of the invention to provide a storage device thatis easily carried on an individual or object.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in thepreferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a storage device forproviding easy access to a use article. The storage device including aholster for being attached to and carried by a support. The use articlemoveably mounted to the holster for movement between a storage positionand a use position.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the usearticle is a container.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, thecontainer includes a lid for enclosing contents within the container andfor providing a work surface when in the use position.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the usearticle is a panel.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the holsterincludes a rear wall having at least one loop for receiving the supporttherethrough.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the holsterincludes a rear wall having at least one hook for securing the holsterto the support.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the usearticle is mounted for sliding and pivoting movement.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a storagedevice for providing easy access to a use article includes a holster forbeing attached to and carried by a support. The use article defines awork surface and is carried by the holster for movement between arelatively flush storage position wherein the work surface is stowed anda deployed position wherein the work surface is exposed for use.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the usearticle is a container.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, thecontainer includes a lid for enclosing contents within the container andfor providing a work surface when in the use position.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the usearticle is a panel.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the usearticle includes spaced-apart studs positioned on opposing ends of theuse article.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the holsterincludes a rear wall having at least one attachment means for securingthe holster to the support; spaced-apart opposing sidewalls extendingoutwardly from opposing side edges of the rear wall; and at least onefront wall extending from a respective one of the sidewallssubstantially parallel to the rear wall to retain the use article in thestorage position. The sidewalls each include a slot for receiving thestuds and allowing the use article to move between the storage positionand the deployed position.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, theattachment means is selected from the group consisting of a loop and ahook.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the usearticle is carried by the holster for sliding and pivoting movement.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a storagedevice includes a holster for being mounted to a supporting structure;and a container for being mounted in the holster for movement between astorage position and a deployed use position. The movement including afirst sliding motion wherein the container is at least partiallywithdrawn from the holster and a second motion wherein the container ispivoted into the deployed use position.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, thecontainer includes spaced-apart studs positioned on opposing ends of thecontainer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be best understood by reference to the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage device according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the storage device of FIG. 1 secured to a users' belt in astowed position;

29 FIG. 3 shows the storage device of FIG. 1 secured to a user's belt insemi-deployed position;

FIG. 4 shows the storage device of FIG. 1 secured to a users' belt in adeployed position to provide a work surface;

FIG. 5 shows the storage device of FIG. 1 secured to a users' belt in adeployed position to allow access to its contents;

FIG. 6 shows the storage device of FIG. 1 secured to a users' vest;

FIG. 7 shows the storage device of FIG. 1 secured to a strap around auser's chest;

FIG. 8 shows the storage device of FIG. 1 secured to a strap around auser's neck;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a storage device according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 shows the storage device of FIG. 9 secured to a bucket of acherrypicker; and

FIG. 11 shows a storage device according to an embodiment of theinvention;.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a storage device accordingto an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and showngenerally at reference numeral 10. The storage device 10 includes aholder, such as a holster 11, and a use article 12 carried by theholster 11. As illustrated, the use article 12 is a container, such as aplastic tacklebox. However, any suitable means, such as a panel withhook and loop fasteners, for holding items securely may be used.

Slots 13 are positioned on spaced-apart opposing sidewalls 14 and 16 ofthe holster 11 for receiving therethrough a pin or stud 17 attached tothe container 12, and for allowing the container 12 to move between agenerally vertical storage position, FIG. 2, and a generally horizontaldeployed use position, FIG. 4. Loops 20 and 21 are formed in a rear wall22 for receiving a strap or other attachment means therethrough tosecure the holster 1 1 to a user or an object. As illustrated in FIGS. 2and 6-8, the storage device 10 may be secured to a belt 23 around thewaist of a user; D-rings 32 attached to a garment 33; a strap 34 aroundthe chest of a user, such as those used on backpacks; and a neck strap36.

As shown in FIG. 2, front walls 26 and 27 extend outwardly from thesidewalls 14 and 16, respectively. The front walls 26 and 27 have alength “L” selected to allow the container 12 to be withdrawn andsupported on the walls 26 and 27, and prevent the container 12 frompivoting out of the holster 11 when in the storage position.

In use, the container 12 is moved from the storage position, FIG. 2, bysliding the studs 17 within the slots 13 until a substantial portion ofthe container 12 has been withdrawn and positioned above walls 26 and 27to allow the container 12 to pivot, as shown in FIG. 3. As illustratedin FIGS. 3 and 4, the container 12 is pivoted into a deployed useposition with a bottom 28 of the container 12 resting on walls 26 and27. The container 12 may then be used as a work surface, or, asillustrated in FIG. 5, a lid 30 of the container 12 may be opened toallow access to its contents. It should be appreciated that a containerwithout a lid may be used. In this case, the rear wall 22 encloses thecontainer in the storage position.

Referring to FIG. 9, a storage device according to another embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated and shown generally at reference numeral100. Like storage device 10, storage device 100 includes a holster 110having spaced-apart opposing sidewalls 114 and 116 with slots 113, arear wall 122, and spaced-apart front walls 126 and 127. The storagedevice also includes a use article 112 in the form of a container.

43 Unlike the storage device 10, the storage device 100 includes a pairof tabs or hooks 120 and 121 to allow the holster 110to be secured to auser or an object without the use of a strap-like structure. The hooks120 and 121 allow the storage device 100 to be secured to a belt orstrap like storage device 10 or to an object like a ladder or a bucket130 of a cherry picker 131, as shown in FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 11, a storage device according to another embodimentof the invention is illustrated and shown generally at reference numeral200. Like storage device 10, storage device 200 includes a holster 210having spaced-apart opposing sidewalls 214 and 216 with slots 213, arear wall 122, spaced-apart front walls 226 and 227, and loops, likeloops 20 and 21, or hooks, like hooks 120 and 121, for securing thestorage device 200 to a user or an object.

The storage device also includes a panel 212. As illustrated, the panel212 provides a work surface. Like container 12, the panel 212 ismoveable from a generally vertical storage position to a generallyhorizontal deployed use position. The panel 212 may include a fabric,hook and loop fasteners, or other means for holding items thereto.

46 A storage device is described above. Various details of the inventionmay be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, theforegoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention andbest mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose ofillustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.

1. A storage device for providing easy access to a use article,comprising: (a) a holster for being attached to and carried by asupport; and (b) the use article moveably mounted to the holster formovement between a storage position and a use position.
 2. The storagedevice according to claim 1, wherein the use article is a container. 3.The storage device according to claim 2, wherein the container includesa lid for enclosing contents within the container and for providing awork surface when in the use position.
 4. The storage device accordingto claim 1, wherein the use article is a panel.
 5. The storage deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the holster includes a rear wall having atleast one loop for receiving the support therethrough.
 6. The storagedevice according to claim 1, wherein the holster includes a rear wallhaving at least one hook for securing the holster to the support.
 7. Thestorage device according to claim 1, wherein the use article is mountedfor sliding and pivoting movement.
 8. A storage device for providingeasy access to a use article, comprising: (a) a holster for beingattached to and carried by a support; and (b) the use article defining awork surface and carried by the holster for movement between arelatively flush storage position wherein the work surface is stowed anda deployed position wherein the work surface is exposed for use.
 9. Thestorage device according to claim 8, wherein the use article is acontainer.
 10. The storage device according to claim 9, wherein thecontainer includes a lid for enclosing contents within the container andfor providing a work surface when in the use position.
 11. The storagedevice according to claim 8, wherein the use article is a panel.
 12. Thestorage device according to claim 8, wherein the use article includesspaced-apart studs positioned on opposing ends of the use article. 13.The storage device according to claim 12, wherein the holster comprises:(a) a rear wall having at least one attachment means for securing theholster to the support; (b) spaced-apart opposing sidewalls extendingoutwardly from opposing side edges of the rear wall, the sidewalls eachincluding a slot for receiving the studs and allowing the use article tomove between the storage position and the deployed position; and (c) atleast one front wall extending from a respective one of the sidewallssubstantially parallel to the rear wall to retain the use article in thestorage position.
 14. The storage device according to claim 13, whereinthe attachment means is selected from the group consisting of a loop anda hook.
 15. The storage device according to claim 8, wherein the usearticle is carried by the holster for sliding and pivoting movement. 16.A storage device, comprising: (a) a holster for being mounted to asupporting structure; and (b) a container for being mounted in theholster for movement between a storage position and a deployed useposition, the movement comprising a first sliding motion wherein thecontainer is at least partially withdrawn from the holster and a secondmotion wherein the container is pivoted into the deployed use position.17. The storage device according to claim 16, wherein the containerincludes spaced-apart studs positioned on opposing ends of thecontainer.
 18. The storage device according to claim 17, wherein theholster comprises: (a) a rear wall having at least one attachment meansfor securing the holster to the support; (b) spaced-apart opposingsidewalls extending outwardly from opposing side edges of the rear wall,the sidewalls each including a slot for receiving the studs and allowingthe use article to move between the storage position and the deployedposition; and (c) at least one front wall extending from a respectiveone of the sidewalls substantially parallel to the rear wall to retainthe container in the storage position.
 19. The storage device accordingto claim 18, wherein the attachment means is selected from the groupconsisting of a loop and a hook.
 20. The storage device according toclaim 16, wherein the container includes a lid for enclosing contentswithin the container and for providing a work surface when in the useposition.